Jordanian Ministry of Health saves 1 million dinars through new cardiac protocol

The Jordanian Ministry of Health saved more than 1 million dinars during the first nine months of a new medical protocol designed to treat acute myocardial infarction. This protocol allows medical teams to perform immediate cardiac catheterizations during evening hours to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. The implementation of this procedure has already resulted in 1,350 emergency cardiac catheterizations across several specialized facilities.

New medical protocol details

The medical protocol was launched in early February 2026 to streamline the treatment of acute myocardial infarction via catheterization. Under the previous medical method, doctors administered blood thinners and delayed the necessary catheterization by one or two days. The new protocol replaces this delayed approach by allowing for immediate catheterization during evening hours. These specific emergency procedures took place between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM.

The Jordanian Ministry of Health reported that the shift in treatment methodology has significantly reduced long-term medical expenses. These expenses are often associated with medical complications such as cardiac arrhythmia and heart failure. By intervening earlier through catheterization, the healthcare system aims to mitigate these costly complications.

Hospital implementation and savings

The emergency cardiac catheterizations were performed at eight specific hospitals. These facilities include Al-Bashir Hospital, Hamzah Hospital, Zarqa Hospital, Al-Hussein Hospital, Salt New Hospital, Karak Hospital, Tafilah Hospital, and Princess Sumaya Hospital. These hospitals provided the specialized care required for the 1,350 procedures conducted between February 1 and November 1, 2026.

Financial savings were achieved through the reduced reliance on the drug Tenecteplase. Each dose of Tenecteplase costs approximately 780 dinars. By utilizing the new protocol to perform immediate catheterizations instead of relying on this medication, the Jordanian Ministry of Health saved over 1 million dinars in the first nine months of the program.

Enhanced hospital readiness

To support the new protocol, the Jordanian Ministry of Health enhanced hospital readiness through increased staffing and connectivity. The ministry provided technical staff to be on duty 24/7 to ensure immediate response capabilities. This staffing ensures that specialized facilities are prepared to handle emergency cases during the critical evening window.

Furthermore, the ministry linked other Ministry of Health hospitals to these specialized facilities to create a coordinated network. This connectivity ensures that patients requiring immediate catheterization can be managed effectively within the established protocol. The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the impact of these specialized procedures on patient recovery and national healthcare expenditures.

Glossary

• acute myocardial infarction — An acute myocardial infarction is a condition where chest pain is a common symptom. This pain may be described as a sensation of tightness, pressure, or squeezing and can radiate to various parts of the body.
• cardiac arrhythmia — Cardiac arrhythmia covers a large number of different conditions caused by abnormal impulse formation or re-entry conduction disturbances. These conditions can manifest as irregular heartbeats or skipped beats.
• Tenecteplase — Tenecteplase is a thrombolytic alternative used in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. It is used as a medication in medical protocols.
• dinars — Dinars are a unit of currency. In the context of the market, prices for animals and birds are measured in Jordanian dinars.